Leavenworth, KS to Saint Francis, KS is 441.6 miles and takes about 7h 57m via Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway, and Kansas Turnpike, with a fuel budget near $69 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This route stays within the Great Plains region, offering a consistent landscape for most of your drive. Since it's a single-day trip, you'll want to get an early start to comfortably cover the distance. Expect a mix of highway cruising and surface road driving as you head west across Kansas. It's a straightforward trip for those looking to get from point A to point B efficiently.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
220.8 miles from Leavenworth, KS
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 3h 52m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
257.4 mi
4h 17m
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
91.6 mi
1h 34m
Kansas Turnpike
41.1 mi
41m
Commerce Road
29.9 mi
52m
North Main Street
11.9 mi
16m
US 36
4.9 mi
6m
South 4th Street
3.2 mi
6m
Spruce Street
0.6 mi
1m
Longest stretch:
Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway
— 257.4 mi, about 4h 17m
Traffic on I-70
Hour-of-day weekday pattern from 20 FHWA count stations on your route.
Peak
4 PM
~835 veh/hr typical
· worst 1,078
Quietest
2 AM
~72 veh/hr
Peak-to-quiet ratio
11.6×
busier at peak than in the quiet hours
12a6anoon6p11p
Averaged across 52 weeks of 2023 FHWA Travel Monitoring Analysis System data. Weekday hours only (Mon–Fri).
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Leavenworth, KS and Saint Francis, KS.
1
Start on this road
277 ft·25 sec·this road
2
At end of road, turn left onto KS 92
0.6 mi·1 min·Spruce Street
3
Turn right onto US 73; K-7
3.2 mi·6 min·South 4th Street
4
Continue on US 73; K-7
12 mi·16 min·North Main Street
Use the straight lane.
5
Turn left
0.4 mi·56 sec
Toward I 70 West: TopekaUse the left lane.
6
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40
40 mi·40 min·Kansas Turnpike
Use the straight lane.
7
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70
0.9 mi·1 min·Kansas Turnpike
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, SalinaUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward US 24 Business, KS 27, Sharon Springs, Saint Francis
11
Turn right onto US 24 Bus; KS 27
30 mi·52 min·Commerce Road
12
Turn left onto US 36; K-27
4.9 mi·6 min·US 36; K-27
13
Turn right onto RS 115
0.3 mi·51 sec·South Benton Street
14
Turn right onto Spencer Street
79 ft·3 sec·Spencer Street
15
Arrive at destination
Spencer Street
Trip Plan
Given the nearly 8-hour drive time, departing from Leavenworth early in the morning is your best bet to make it to Saint Francis before dark. While the drive is manageable in one day, you'll want to plan for at least two stops to stretch your legs and refuel. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, especially during the longer stretches on the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, as services can be spread out. Since most of the route is on surface roads, be prepared for varying speed limits and more local traffic as you progress west. The $69 fuel cost is an estimate, so it’s wise to have a little extra buffer in your budget.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 2 meaningful breaks for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 220.8 miles from Leavenworth, KS, or about 3h 52m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 257.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 97 miles or 1h 46m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 220.8 miles or 3h 52m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 6h 32m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Saint Francis, KS than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Leavenworth, KS so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
+
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Leavenworth, KS
This is one driving day of about 441.6 miles and 7h 57m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 97 miles from Leavenworth, KS.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 2 real breaks rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway for about 257.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 11
5 decision points cluster between mile 0.1 and 406.2 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
4
0.1 mi into trip|~0m in|KS 92 / Spruce Street
At end of road, turn left onto KS 92 / Spruce Street
Navigation decision point
7
15.7 mi into trip|~23m in
Turn left toward I 70 West: Topeka
Lane positioning matters here
Use the left lane.
Toward I 70 West: Topeka
5
16.1 mi into trip|~24m in|I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge onto I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike
Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
8
56.3 mi into trip|~1h 5m in|I 70 / Kansas Turnpike
Keep slight right at fork onto I 70 / Kansas Turnpike toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward I-70 West, US 40 West: Topeka, Salina
5
406.2 mi into trip|~6h 57m in
Take the exit toward US 24 Business, KS 27, Sharon Springs, Saint Francis
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 24 Business, KS 27, Sharon Springs, S...
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$73.42 one way
$146.84 round trip
$4.22/gal25.4 MPG avg155 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.60
$79.97
$159.95
premium
$5.18
$90.11
$180.22
diesel
$5.35
$93.01
$186.03
Estimated Tolls: $2.06
Kansas Turnpike
(41.1 mi)$2.06
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$73
Tolls
$2
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$100–$125
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 154.5 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $46 in charging
· 1 stop
· 66% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
132.5
1
$46.37
$21.20
Efficient EV
110.4
1
$38.64
$17.66
EV Truck/SUV
176.6
2
$61.82
$28.26
Gas CO2
155 kg
EV CO2
52 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Leavenworth, KS
Afternoon
in Leavenworth on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Patchy Fog
NE 3 mph11% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 4:14AM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 2:49AM CDT until June 1 at 7:45AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Destination
Saint Francis, KS
Afternoon
in Saint Francis on Wednesday
Local time
2:06 PM
CDT
Current temp
54°F
Mostly Cloudy
SW 5 mph6% chanceLive forecast
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 4:14AM CDT until June 1 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Topeka KS
Flood Warning
Flood Warning issued June 1 at 2:49AM CDT until June 1 at 7:45AM CDT by NWS Wichita KS
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
11 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
7h 57m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park
National Historical Park
The path to equality has been anything but smooth. It's taken courage and dedication by everyday people coming together for a common goal to carry the country toward true equality. Parents, teachers,...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
You'll spend about 10% of this 441.6-mile drive on highways like the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway, which also hosts your longest stretch of 257.4 miles. The majority of your travel will be on surface roads, offering a more local feel after the highway segments conclude. This means you can expect more frequent intersections and potentially slower speeds as you get closer to your destination. Pay attention as you transition off the main highways; the change in road type is significant.
Only 10% highway — the rest is turn-by-turn surface driving.
15 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 257.4 mi on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway.
How Hard Is This Drive?
4/10
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes around 0.1 miles in near KS 92 / Spruce Street.
Driving Effort4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 57m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 11 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KS 92 / Spruce Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Elevation Profile
Gently rolling terrain
3,647 ft841 ft
Total Climb
2,818 ft
Total Descent
343 ft
Highest Point
3,647 ft
~410.1 mi in
Elevation Range
2,806 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Leavenworth, KS and Saint Francis, KS, road signs point toward Salina and Sharon Springs.
Salina
56.3 mi in|~1h 5m|via I 70
Sharon Springs
406.2 mi in|~6h 57m
Detours Along the Way
Tagged by where each one fits in your drive — first break, midpoint, final stretch.
Leavenworth is a city in Eastern Kansas.
Leavenworth, the "First City in Kansas", established in 1854, is located on the west banks of the Missouri River and became nationally known as the "jumping off point" for the opening of the West. Buffalo Bill Cody spent part of his youth here and later worked in the area as a Pony Express rider and Army scout. Cody's parents are buried in Leavenworth.
Top landmarks
•Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center — historic building in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
•Carnegie Arts Center of Leavenworth — building in Leavenworth, Kansas, USA
•Western Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers — historic district in Leavenworth, Kansas, United States
Doable as a same-day drive at 7h 57m. Total distance: 441.6 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 2 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
7h 57m drive, plan rest stops for pacing.
Scenic Drive
Mostly surface roads route profile with national parks nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 257.4 miles on Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $2.06 in tolls one way, starting with Kansas Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 38 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This is a long drive, so arriving tired and in the dark compounds. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Saint Francis, KS before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. Plan at least 2 meaningful breaks. There are 38 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.1 miles (KS 92 / Spruce Street): Navigation decision point; at 15.7 miles: Lane positioning matters here; at 16.1 miles (I 70; US 24; US 40 / Kansas Turnpike): Merge point - match speed before joining. Lane positioning matters here.
Yes — Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Not recommended in a single day. At 8.0 hours each way, a round trip means 15.9 hours of driving — that is an unsafe level of fatigue for most drivers. Plan at least one night at Saint Francis, KS before the return drive.
